EC takes hard-line against irregularities in UZ polls

EC takes hard-line against irregularities in UZ polls
The EC has taken a hard line against the irregularities that took place during third upazilla polls on January 22 and commission would take action against the candidates for allegedly violating the code of conduct during elections.The EC at an emergency meeting yesterday decided to examine the reports on irregularities published in different dailies, footage of TV channels and complaints lodged with the commission by different defeated candidates.On Sunday, a large numbers of defeated candidates came to the election commission secretariat and filed complaints against the ruling party backed candidates and leaders for their exercise of influence in the elections.Some losing candidates in their written complaints also demanded cancellation of the elections results and holding of re-elections in those areas.Talking to reporters while leaving the office yesterday afternoon, election commissioner Brig General (Retd) Shakhawat Hossain told reporters that EC is now examining the pros and cons of the outcome of the upazilla elections.He said the commission would take a decision about the complaints received by it within a day or two. "Let's see what sorts of punitive measures the commission can take against offenders who violated the electoral rules by influencing the elections officials during upazilla polls," he said, adding the commission would disclose its decision after examining all complaints lodged by losing candidates.Talking to this correspondent, most of defeated candidates, who came to the commission for filing complaints with the commission, said the ruling party ministers and MPs worked for their party backed candidates violating the electoral code of conduct.They said the ruling party backed candidates in association with the law enforcing members' intimidated voters from casting their votes."Supporters of the wining candidate Tozammael Haque Chowdhury, a AL backed candidate, have prevented voters from casting votes showing intimidation in many places, especially they (supporters of winning candidate) barred women voters to come to polling centers," alleged losing candidate Belal Hossain Bhuiyan while talking to this reporter at the EC secretariat.